Pharmacy
Subject in detail
Subject aims
The MPharm programme is delivered by teaching teams organised into four main subject areas - Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practice. These areas form themes that develop through the degree, equipping graduates for a breadth of careers.
The MPharm programme begins providing grounding in basic biology, chemistry and physical sciences. We offer additional classes in Biology for those lacking a formal qualification in this area. Basic mathematics and statistics also form part of the first semester. You are also encouraged to undertake extra-curricular units. The second year contains units in Chemistry, and introduces the science of Formulation and Medicines Design.
The Third Year allows you to follow your own preferences through unit options. One of which must be a practical lab-based unit. We have arranged the options teaching in Semester 2 to enable students to spend time studying at an approved academic institution, perhaps elsewhere in Europe or in the USA. In final year further optional units are available. Your laboratory and data-handling skills will be put into practice in an extended research project.
Teaching and learning
Each semester consists of five units. In the first two years, all are core units, taken by everyone, but in the third and final years there is a wide choice of options, together with a research project. It is also possible in the final year for a placement overseas. Final year projects are linked to the research interests of the Department and you work alongside postgraduate researchers.
Methods of assessment
Assessments include unseen examinations, practical reports, essays, presentations, data interpretation, problem solving, placement report and project report.
Units & programme structure
